Understanding Employee Leave Policies in Taiwan

As an international HR professional, I've found that navigating Taiwan's comprehensive leave regulations requires careful attention to detail. The Labor Standards Act provides a robust framework that balances employee welfare with business operational needs.

Annual Leave Entitlements in Taiwan

Taiwan's progressive annual leave system rewards employee loyalty with increasing vacation days:

6 months to 1 year: 3 days annual leave
1-2 years: 7 days annual leave
2-3 years: 10 days annual leave
3-5 years: Additional day each year (max 14 days)
5-10 years: Additional day each year (max 15 days)
10+ years: Additional day each year (max 30 days)

Unused annual leave can be carried forward with mutual agreement, otherwise it must be converted to wages. SailGlobal's leave management system helps companies accurately track and compensate unused leave.

Sick Leave Regulations

Taiwan's sick leave policies demonstrate significant consideration for employee health:

Non-hospitalized treatment: Maximum 30 days annually
Hospitalized treatment: Maximum 1 year within 2 years
Combined treatment: Maximum 1 year within 2 years
Special provisions for cancer treatment and pregnancy-related bed rest

During sick leave, employees receive 50% salary unless covered by labor insurance benefits. For example, a manufacturing company in Taipei successfully implemented a hybrid sick leave policy that improved employee satisfaction while maintaining productivity.

Family-Related Leave Provisions

Taiwan offers comprehensive family support through various leave types:

Prenatal Check-up Leave

Employees receive 7 paid days for accompanying partners to prenatal appointments, ensuring family health priorities are met.

Maternity Leave

Female employees receive 8 weeks of maternity leave with full pay for those with over 6 months service. Extended provisions apply for complications or miscarriage circumstances.

Paternity Leave

Male employees receive 7 days paid paternity leave within 15 days of childbirth, supporting modern family dynamics.

Parental Leave

After 6 months service, parents can take up to 2 years unpaid leave per child under age 3, with 60% salary coverage for the first 6 months through labor insurance.

Special Leave Categories

Taiwan's leave system addresses various life events with sensitivity:

Marriage Leave

8 days fully paid leave allows employees to celebrate this important milestone without financial concern.

Bereavement Leave

3-8 days paid leave depending on relationship to deceased, with flexible scheduling options for cultural observances.

Personal Leave

Up to 14 days unpaid leave annually for personal matters, with provisions for extended arrangements through negotiation.

Menstrual Leave

Female employees receive up to 3 days paid menstrual leave monthly, with additional days counted as sick leave.

National Holidays in Taiwan

Taiwan observes several national holidays with make-up day provisions when holidays fall on weekends:

Holiday	2025 Dates
New Year's Day	January 1
Lunar New Year	January 25 - February 2
Peace Memorial Day	February 28 - March 2
Children's Day	April 3-6
Tomb Sweeping Day	April 3-6
Labor Day	May 1
Dragon Boat Festival	May 31
Mid-Autumn Festival	October 4-6
Double Tenth Day	October 10-12

Proper leave management is crucial for compliance and employee satisfaction. SailGlobal provides comprehensive solutions for multinational companies operating in Taiwan to ensure seamless leave administration and payroll accuracy.

Taiwan Employee Leave Guide: Complete HR Compliance Overview 2025